inhabit

[in-hab-it] /ɪnˈhæb ɪt/
verb (used with object)
1.
to live or dwell in (a place), as people or animals:
Small animals inhabited the woods.
2.
to exist or be situated within; dwell in:
Weird notions inhabit his mind.
verb (used without object)
3.
Archaic. to live or dwell, as in a place.
Origin
1325-75; < Latin inhabitāre, equivalent to in- in-2 + habitāre to dwell (see habit2); replacing Middle English enhabiten < Middle French enhabiter < Latin as above
Related forms
inhabitable, adjective
inhabitability, noun
inhabitation, noun
noninhabitability, noun
noninhabitable, adjective
preinhabit, verb (used with object)
preinhabitation, noun
reinhabit, verb (used with object)
uninhabitability, noun
uninhabitable, adjective
Can be confused
habitable, inhabitable, uninhabitable.
Synonyms
1, 2. reside, occupy, tenant, populate.
Examples from the web for inhabit
  • But people don't always live up or down to the clichés they are expected to inhabit.
  • Brown on the changing world of small business and the colorful characters who inhabit it.
  • Lovers seek to create a place that they can inhabit together against the obstacles of the world.
  • Some inhabit the nether world of loan sharks and bail bondsmen.
  • Gars inhabit lakes, bayous, and bays and are able to tolerate brackish and even salt water.
  • But this study is the first to show that the algae actually inhabit the embryo itself.
  • The carp are a danger to humans that wish to boat on the waters the carp inhabit.
  • And you are knocked completely out of the book and back into the mundane world you usually inhabit.
  • Barring tragedies, children in these years inhabit a sheltered, more benign world-and fortunate parents enjoy visiting rights.
  • The trait is unique in these strange and fascinating fish that inhabit tropical and temperate coastal waters worldwide.
British Dictionary definitions for inhabit

inhabit

/ɪnˈhæbɪt/
verb -its, -iting, -ited
1.
(transitive) to live or dwell in; occupy
2.
(intransitive) (archaic) to abide or dwell
Derived Forms
inhabitable, adjective
inhabitability, noun
inhabitation, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin inhabitāre, from habitāre to dwell
Word Origin and History for inhabit
v.

late 14c., from Old French enhabiter "dwell in" (12c.), from Latin inhabitare "to dwell in," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + habitare "to dwell," frequentative of habere "hold, have" (see habit). Related: Inhabited; inhabiting.